Pitchfork.tv put this music video by the Books up on their website Friday. Though this track is from their 2nd full release “The Lemon of Pink“, I had just seen this video from 2003 for the first time. I was interested in seeing how the Books would make a music video with their type of music. Would it be a bunch of video samples strung together to form some sort of coherent piece with a few shots of the band interdispersed? or something just as unconventional as the music itself. It turns out it was closer to the former. With juxtaposed shots of Suzuki method violin recital and the occasional clip aligning itself to the rhythm of the music the video has its moments where everything comes together. I think it’s a great music video.

MP3: The Books – Tokyo

This is a stupid From Thought for Food
MP3: The Books – Motherless BastardFrom Lost and Safe

MP3: The Books – It Never Changes to Stop

Website | Tomlab Records

Today’s song of the day comes from Flemish Eye records’ up and coming band Women. “Black Rice” is a simple, lo-fi, catchy little pop rock song. Just some two note guitar riffs, a hint of glockenspiel and piano, the simplicity only leaves me wanting more. I’m interested in hearing the rest of the album when it comes out July 8th.

“Recorded by label-mate Chad VanGaalen and the band members, the 10 song, self-titled album by Women is an explosion out of the gates for this young band. Sometimes light and spacious, at other times eerie and dense with an ominous weight, this debut flirts with the noisy beauty of the Velvet Underground and effortlessly toys with the intricacy and playfulness of Deerhoof as crude percussion beats out a pulsing tattoo of clatter.” – from their press page.

But don’t take their word for it, listen yourself and check out their website for another track.

MP3: Women – Black Rice

If you live in or near Canada, try to catch one of their shows:
June 11 :: Winnipeg, Royal Albert
June 12 :: Saskatoon, Little Pictures
June 13 :: Calgary, Broken City
June 14 :: Edmonton, The Velvet Underground
June 14 :: Calgary, Marquee Room
June 16 :: Kelowna, Whitehouse Productions
June 17 :: Victoria, Lucky Bar
June 20 :: Vancouver, Little Mountain Studios
June 21 :: Vancouver, Hoko’s
June 24 :: Lethbridge, Knights of Columbus Hall
June 26 :: Calgary, Broken City
Website | Pitchfork’s Review | Myspace |

I’ve been listening to the Shivers music for several years now. They do a great job balancing the familiar with the unfamiliar. The diversity of their albums and songs take me from something that I feel comfortable with to something that is new, angst, and generally unpleasant. But then, by the time it really starts to bug me, it’s gone. It becomes easier to breath again.

I think that it what draws me to the Shivers so much. The singer/guitarist of the Shivers, Keith Zarriello, has proven that he knows the difference between what is pleasant to the ears and what isn’t. When it comes to folk melodies, The Shivers are among the best; they very rarely mess up harmonic instrumentals. So why intentionally veer from that into uncomfortable, loud clashing?

[vimeo 1090710]

That’s the beauty of The Shivers. They are musicians who simply don’t care what you want. They know, I would think, that some of their music makes them lose listeners. Those listeners who enjoy their mellow music aren’t going to necessary like their more experimental songs. But the Shivers are okay with that. They are not going to alter their vision to sell more records. By not allowing the listener to influence their music, they are able to stay true to their music, and say and play what they want. Think about how many songs about pain are so pleasantly played instrumentally. Is that always what pain feels like? Keith knows it’s not.

Sure, this could sound like justifications for bad talent. Once you listen to the Shivers music though, and their new album, Beaks to the Moon, you will realize that’s not the case. The Shivers make beautiful, honest music. At times, the truth, or at least Keith’s truth can hurt or be undesirable, but this album is wonderful to listen to. In my opinion it has a perfect balance.

Beaks to the Moon (2008):

The Shivers – Lonely Road

The Shivers – Love Is Good

Album- Charades (2004)

The Shivers – Beauty

The Shivers – L.I.E.

The Shivers – SoHo Party (This is an example of the diversity I’m talking about. Listen through whole song)

Album- Phone Calls (2007)

The Shivers – The Road

The Shivers – Half Invisible

The Shivers – New Direction

Site| Amazon | iTunes | Myspace | 911 Truth (This ones for you, Keith)

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Dear Apple Marketing Team,

I hate you. I hate you so much.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBCfW9-hjKI

Who sings the soul-melting song featured in Apple’s famous Macbook Air Commercial, you ask? The answer would be Yael Naim (יעל נעים), and the name of the song is “New Soul.”

Yael Naim – New Soul

Site | iTunes

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I really enjoy this song. It’s been in my music library for a long time, but I haven’t listened to it consistently until now. I love the beat, Rocher’s voice, and the lyrics. Especially the lyrics–in the first verse, he starts each transition with the word he used to finish the last. Take a listen.

Etienne de Rocher – Meditation # C.O.B.

start with the C / C is for care / care that I take
then it’s the O / original / original flow
then it’s the B / B is for beats / beats on my streets
let the songs fall like rain / fall into my brain / and grow sipsey canes
grab a pad and a pen / say goodbye to your friends / and become something new
like all things do…

so hold on to your hope / grab on to the walls / and trust in your crew
don’t question the O / just move to the B / do what you do
start with the C / the C is for care / to see it all through
say goodbye to your friends / let it come to an end / and become something new
like all things do…

His Myspace page sums up his bio:

“Raised in Tuscaloosa Alabama by French professors. Came out to Berkeley to study Physics, dropped out to play African drums and record songs on my 4 track. Started a garage band called C.O.B., then went solo and somehow started playing with some of the Bay Area’s most lauded musicians. Hooked up with producer Dan Prothero and worked long and hard on my debut album.”

For a more complete bio, check out his site. To learn even more about him, check out his label, Fog City Records. Buy the song and album on Amie Street.

If you’ve streamed our Indie Muse radio show in the past you may have heard me play “Get Up and Go” by Broadcast 2000. It’s an outstanding song, and the EP it’s featured on, Building Blocks, leaves me anticipating a strong debut album. Broadcast 2000 comes out of London, and is the solo project of 26-year-old Joe Steer. His diverse musical talents make him a refreshing artist to listen to, combining cello, double bass, guitar, ukulele, glockenspiel,banjo, percussion and his own layered vocals. It’s hard to classify Steer’s music, but I would call it a mix between Sufjan Stevens, Coldplay, and Beirut. The vocals in “Run” could lead you to believe Chris Martin stopped by for a session.

The Building Blocks EP was recorded, mixed and mastered in Steer’s north London flat. From my understanding, it has a June release in the US, and is available digitally in the UK iTunes Store. Broadcast 2000 just recently signed with Groenland Records; I’ll keep you updated on any announcements regarding the debut release.

Building Blocks EP:

Broadcast 2000 – Get Up and Go

Broadcast 2000 – Run

Site | Myspace

The 2002 film About A Boy has a great soundtrack composed by the Badly Drawn Boy’s Damon Gough. It’s by far the most rewarding aspect of the movie, and “Something to Talk About” and “Silent Sigh” have been among my favorites songs over the past several years. I just saw parts of the film on TNT the other night, and it made me realize I had to feature this overlooked soundtrack. I am a big fan of composers who are able to successfully capture the mood of a movie, such as DeVotchKa with Little Miss Sunshine and Yann Tierson with Goodbye Lenin! Thoughtful compositions have the ability to bring a movie to life, and at the very least make a Huge Grant movie bearable.

So, what’s your favorite movie composition? Is it Jonny Greenwood’s There Will Be Blood? Or perhaps The Motorcycle Diaries OST? Let me know.

About A Boy OST:

Badly Drawn Boy – Silent Sight

Badly Drawn Boy – Something To Talk About

Badly Drawn Boy – I Love N.Y.E.

Amazon | iTunes